Compelling commentary on children's health

Effective Doctors Listen - Reflections on The Happy Hospitalist

There was an interesting rant last week at The Happy
Hospitalist.It concerns one
doctor’s point of view on listening to patients.As a patient I wouldn't want this person as my
doctor.As a doctor it’s
embarrassing to be reminded of colleagues with such contempt for patients.

Here’s where I agree: Patients don’t know what’s critical
and what isn’t.The parents who
come to my clinic with sick kids are desperate to get answers.Many have been waiting a long time and
most arrive with the false belief that they won’t have much time with me.So the tendency is to want to tell me
every little thing, and quickly.They’ve rehearsed their stories and want to let it all out when they see
me.

My job, however, is to control the interview and extract the
information that I need while allowing the patient the opportunity to vent
their concerns.In the case of
abdominal pain, for example, I have a very systematic interview that I
conduct.When parents want to give
me information that I don’t need I’ll let them digress momentarily but then I gently
redirect them.As the interview
progresses parents grow more at ease when I showcase a compulsive, thorough
evaluation.

As I finish my history, stand up and segue into the exam, I
allow parents the opportunity to open up and offer their thoughts and feelings
about their child.And it’s here
that I’ve learned some of the most interesting tidbits of information.It’s this time between the
computer and the exam that I’ve learned things that have made all the
difference.

The frightening part of The Happy Hospitalist's angry diatribe is the belief that he has it all figured out; the trivial concerns of the patient
are simply obstacles to what he needs.I haven’t figured it all out yet and when I do, I hope I’ll still
respect the needs and concerns of those who trust me with their children.

Comments

Effective Doctors Listen - Reflections on The Happy Hospitalist

There was an interesting rant last week at The Happy
Hospitalist.It concerns one
doctor’s point of view on listening to patients.As a patient I wouldn't want this person as my
doctor.As a doctor it’s
embarrassing to be reminded of colleagues with such contempt for patients.

Here’s where I agree: Patients don’t know what’s critical
and what isn’t.The parents who
come to my clinic with sick kids are desperate to get answers.Many have been waiting a long time and
most arrive with the false belief that they won’t have much time with me.So the tendency is to want to tell me
every little thing, and quickly.They’ve rehearsed their stories and want to let it all out when they see
me.

My job, however, is to control the interview and extract the
information that I need while allowing the patient the opportunity to vent
their concerns.In the case of
abdominal pain, for example, I have a very systematic interview that I
conduct.When parents want to give
me information that I don’t need I’ll let them digress momentarily but then I gently
redirect them.As the interview
progresses parents grow more at ease when I showcase a compulsive, thorough
evaluation.

As I finish my history, stand up and segue into the exam, I
allow parents the opportunity to open up and offer their thoughts and feelings
about their child.And it’s here
that I’ve learned some of the most interesting tidbits of information.It’s this time between the
computer and the exam that I’ve learned things that have made all the
difference.

The frightening part of The Happy Hospitalist's angry diatribe is the belief that he has it all figured out; the trivial concerns of the patient
are simply obstacles to what he needs.I haven’t figured it all out yet and when I do, I hope I’ll still
respect the needs and concerns of those who trust me with their children.